British and Irish tour of southern hemisphere in 2019 is back on

Great Britain last played in the southern hemisphere during the 2006 Tri-Nations

A British and Irish Lions tour of the southern hemisphere in 2019 is back on after a Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) meeting in Singapore.

It was threatened by a proposal from Australia, who wanted to tour the UK in 2019 but will now do so in 2020 with New Zealand coming in 2018 and 2022.

The tour would be the Lions’ first action for 12 years after it was disbanded after a series with the Kiwis

The RLIF aims to get this proposed calendar confirmed in November.

The Lions’ last match was in 2007 against New Zealand in a series that preceded the 2008 World Cup.

After that 3-0 win for Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland have played under their own banners. England will continue to do so for World Cups and incoming tours.

The Kangaroos were keen to go on a tour in 2019 but the RLIF’s two-day meeting in Singapore decided that the Lions would proceed with their trip, which was announced last year.

“Organisers of the 2021 World Cup in England believe a visit by Australia at the end of the 2020 season would help build momentum for the tournament,” said a statement from the Australian Rugby League Commission.

“A proposed Lions Tour of the southern hemisphere by Great Britain is now expected to take place next year and include Tests against Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and possibly another Pacific nation.”

Key elements of the calendar include:

Rugby League World Cup in 2021 and 2025

Australia tour to UK in 2020

New Zealand tour to UK in 2018 and 2022

Lions tour to southern hemisphere in 2019 and 2024

Nine’s World Cup in 2019 and 2023

2019 Championships for the Pacific nations in a mid- and end-of-season format

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